Caltech GPA Calculator, Pasadena, CA Grading Scale

Average GPA

3.50

undergraduate cumulative

Grading Scale

4.3

with plus/minus

Dean's List

3.50+

cumulative GPA

Probation

below 1.9

cumulative GPA floor

What Is a Good GPA at Caltech?

On Caltech's 4.0 scale, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is considered strong, with the average undergraduate GPA sitting near 3.5. Caltech is known for rigorous STEM grading and a small student body, where roughly 40% of grades fall below B-plus. Dean's List requires a 3.5 term GPA with a full course load.

The average undergraduate GPA at Caltech sits near 3.50, drawn from the Caltech registrar policy and aggregated reporting. Enter your courses in the calculator above to see where your cumulative GPA lands relative to that figure.

How Caltech Calculates GPA

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) uses a 4.3 grade point scale and uses plus/minus modifiers (A-, B+, B-, and so on). The school awards 4.3 grade points for an A+, which matters when converting letter grades from a transcript that records A and A+ separately. Each course's grade points multiply by its credit hours, those quality points sum across all courses, and the total divides by total credits attempted.

Caltech GPA Formula

GPA = Sum(Grade Points x Credit Hours) / Sum(Credit Hours)

Where:

Grade Points = letter-grade value on the 4.3 scale
Credit Hours = credit value of the course on the Caltech transcript
A+ is credited at 4.3 at this institution, higher than the standard 4.0

Example: A 4-credit class with an A (4.0 points) and a 3-credit class with a B+ (3.3 points): quality points = 4 × 4.0 + 3 × 3.3 = 25.9, total credits = 7, GPA = 25.9 / 7 = 3.70.

Caltech Grading Policy Notes

Caltech operates on a trimester (three-term) system. Freshman first and second terms are graded Pass/Fail. The honor code permits collaboration on all assignments unless explicitly forbidden. There are no Latin honors; honors recognition comes from departmental thesis review.

Caltech Honors and Recognition

Dean's List at Caltech

Caltech lists students with a GPA of 3.50 or higher on the Dean's List. Dean's List is based on cumulative GPA across all completed terms.

Academic Standing and Repeat Policy at Caltech

Academic Probation Threshold

Caltech places students on academic probation when their cumulative GPA drops below 1.9. Probation usually triggers mandatory advising, restricts course registration, and can affect financial aid or scholarships. Use the calculator to model remaining semesters and see how many A or B grades would lift the GPA back above the 1.9 floor.

Repeating a Course at Caltech

Under Caltech's repeat policy, both attempts remain on the transcript and count toward the GPA. This calculator treats every entered row as a distinct graded attempt; if your school replaces the old grade, leave off the original, and if both count, enter both lines. Always confirm the final transcript version with the registrar before relying on a projected GPA.

Grade Forgiveness at Caltech

Yes. Caltech freshmen receive Pass/Fail grades for all coursework during the first two terms (Pass/Fail Shielding) to ease the transition. Standard letter grading begins in the third term.

Major GPA Requirements at Caltech

All Caltech students take a heavily prescribed core curriculum. Major option (declared sophomore year) typically requires 2.0 minimum in core technical courses.

What Makes Caltech Grading Distinctive

Freshman first two terms are Pass/Fail
Trimester system with three terms per year
No Latin honors; departmental thesis honors only

Caltech at a Glance

Institution type: private research
Location: Pasadena, CA
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,397
Founded: 1891
Athletic conference: SCIAC
Average undergrad GPA: 3.50
Registrar source: Caltech official grading policy

Related GPA Tools

To roll this Caltech GPA into a cumulative figure across multiple semesters, use the cumulative GPA calculator. For a semester-by-semester view with optional prior-GPA import, use the college GPA calculator. To compute individual course grades before they hit your transcript, switch to the grade calculator.

Accuracy Note

This calculator follows the grading policy published by the Caltech registrar as of 2026-04-18. Policies are reviewed periodically; the "Last verified" date in the footer reflects the most recent confirmation. Always cross-check your final GPA against your official transcript. The tool models the same formulas registrars use but cannot account for grade forgiveness petitions, audit decisions, or exceptions approved by the dean of students.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my Caltech GPA?

Enter each Caltech course you have taken, select your letter grade, and enter the credit hours from your transcript. The calculator converts each grade into grade points on the standard 4.3 scale, multiplies by credit hours, and divides by total credits. Caltech uses plus/minus modifiers (A-, B+, B-, and so on) and awards 4.3 grade points for an A+, which this calculator reflects by default.

What GPA do I need for the Caltech Dean's List?

Caltech requires a GPA of 3.50 or higher to qualify for the Dean's List. Dean's List at this school is based on cumulative GPA across all completed terms.

What is the GPA cutoff for academic probation at Caltech?

At Caltech, students fall into academic probation when their GPA drops below 1.9. Probation status typically restricts course registration, triggers mandatory advising, and may affect financial aid eligibility. Use this calculator to check where your current term and cumulative averages land relative to the 1.9 floor.

Does Caltech award Latin honors at graduation?

Caltech does not publish fixed Latin honors GPA thresholds that apply across all undergraduate programs. Caltech grades on a 4.3 scale and uses an Honors Pass system for many freshman courses. A formal Dean's List does not exist; excellence is recognized via the Core GPA for departmental admission and fellowships.

If I retake a course at Caltech, how does it affect my GPA?

Caltech's repeat policy is that both attempts remain on the transcript and count toward the GPA. This calculator lets you model either scenario, enter just the most recent grade to see a replace-style GPA, or enter both attempts to see how an average-counting or both-count policy would shape your transcript.